Tagged News

• Cluster of homes on Frenchtown Road damaged during storms Saturday night

  December 10, 2023 12:06 PM

  CENTRAL - Three homes were damaged in overnight storms late Saturday evening. The homes were in the Frenchtown Road area where roofs were torn apart in places or peeled back from the structure. Damage was reported to have happened just before 11 p.m. Saturday. Homeowner Joyce Chaney says... more »

• First local ALDI store set to open by end of month

  August 13, 2023 1:37 PM

  CENTRAL - Final work is taking place on what will be the first ALDI store to open in the Capital Area, with a date set for later this month. A soft opening for the ALDI on Grand Settlement Blvd. at Sullivan -- within the Settlement at Shoe Creek in... more »

• Central home damaged after vehicle careens off road, through fence and across yard Play Video

  August 12, 2023 4:46 PM

  CENTRAL - A vehicle -- likely a large pickup truck -- smashed through a fence, careened across a yard and crashed into a home early Saturday morning before leaving the scene of the wreck. Family members told WBRZ News 2 the occupant of the home, located at Greenwell Springs... more »

• School rallies to support student hospitalized with rare infection

  August 7, 2023 4:30 PM

  BATON ROUGE - As most students prepare to return to school, a local boy is hospitalized battling a rare bacteria and other health issues -- but his classmates are rallying to support him. A prayer vigil for Madden Brown is being held at Central Private school Monday at 8... more »

• Fire truck pull on Saturday to benefit injured Central police officer

  July 21, 2023 4:29 PM

  CENTRAL - A fundraiser featuring a fire truck pulling competition is set for Saturday, with the proceeds going to a Central police officer who was injured on the job last month. Shaine Powers, a five-year veteran of the department, is recovering following surgery on his right leg. It was... more »

• Raffle to benefit Central officer who was dragged by a vehicle

  July 10, 2023 3:52 PM

  CENTRAL - Tickets are being sold for a raffle that will raise funds to help a Central officer who was struck and injured while on duty last month. The Shaine Powers benefit will give the first prize winner a new Zuma motorized scooter. Second prize is a Ruger 10-22... more »

• Central woman rescued after tree falls in storm Play Video

  May 6, 2023 10:00 AM

  CENTRAL - Firefighters helped a woman from a damaged trailer after a large tree fell on it during stormy weather on Saturday. The incident happened on Gemini Drive. Rescue crews said the woman had only minor injuries, including a broken arm. Neighbors say firefighters had break her front... more »

• Land in Central to be cleared as community expands Play Video

  May 2, 2023 6:01 PM

  CENTRAL - The City of Central is finalizing the permit process to allow for the clearing of 87 acres of land adjacent to the Village at Magnolia Square. The move is part of plans to expand that burgeoning subdivision. A spokesman for Tower Capital Corporation, the developer, tells WBRZ... more »

• Jackson Community Park playground closed for several days

  December 27, 2022 11:55 AM

  BATON ROUGE - Installation work on a pair of shade sails will make the Jackson Community Park playground off limits for much of the week. BREC said contractors were to begin work on the project Tuesday. Officials expect the playground to be closed for three days. Temporary fencing... more »

• Major drainage project underway in Central Play Video

  August 16, 2022 4:30 PM

  CENTRAL - There's a big drainage project happening in the City of Central. Compliance EnviroSystems, LLC has been contracted to do the work, taking images of every catch basin, pipe, and culvert in the city. Tuesday, CES started working in the Northwoods subdivision clearing out trouble spots. Central... more »

• La. senator pulls school-rezoning proposal that prompted accusations of racism Play Video

  May 4, 2022 7:04 PM

  CENTRAL- Students in the Central School System will stay put a while longer. At the Capitol, a controversial bill is all but dead after a hearing in the House of Education Committee. The pushback in the committee led the author, Senator Bodi White, to voluntarily defer the bill. Senate... more »

• Soil conditions and drainage issues cause for delays in Sullivan Road improvement project Play Video

  March 8, 2022 7:08 PM

  CENTRAL- Sewage pipes lay alongside Sullivan Road in Central, dirt remains piled up. This is not what the street is supposed to look like. "People ask me about this road every day. It is the talk of the city, they just see five years' worth of work, and there's... more »

• Parent at wit's end after child endures relentless bullying Play Video

  November 10, 2021 5:52 PM

  CENTRAL- A parent said he has nowhere else to turn after his 12-year-old son was the target of tormentors at Central Middle School. First, the bullying was reported to the school and to Central Community School District. It was then reported to law enforcement and the Children's Advocacy Center.... more »

• Three bridges in Central closed after inspections

  September 14, 2021 6:09 PM

  Three bridges in Central have been closed after routine inspections were done. The first was Frenchtown Road bridge (between Country Road and Planchet), and crews hope to finish within three weeks. According to Mayor David Barrow, the workers should be returning back to the bridge this week (weather permitting)... more »

• Central welcomes students back to school Play Video

  August 12, 2021 5:17 AM

  CENTRAL - Teachers and school officials in Central are preparing to welcome nearly 5,000 students to the first day of the 2021-2022 school year Thursday and Friday. Campuses have been cleaned, teachers and staff are masked, and classrooms are ready to accommodate students for the upcoming semester. As... more »

• Sullivan Road closed due to overturned 18-wheeler early Wednesday morning Play Video

  May 26, 2021 7:51 AM

  CENTRAL - Early Wednesday morning, an overturned 18-wheeler caused the closure of Sullivan Road at Hooper Road, shortly after 6 a.m. First responders with Central Fire Department were at the scene of the incident and took to social media to update the public on the situation, saying, "E 313... more »

• Photos of overnight storm and flooding in EBR, parts of Ascension

  May 17, 2021 10:11 PM

  Watch WBRZ streaming live here Latest on EBR flooding, including shelter information and disaster declaration. I-10 closed in the southern end of East Baton Rouge Parish due to flooding on I-10. East Baton Rouge closed schools Tuesday. Homes and businesses flooded in late-evening storm Monday. ... more »

• Pop-up market in Central boost profits for COVID impacted businesses Play Video

  March 21, 2021 11:29 PM

  CENTRAL - An outdoor pop-up shop was held Sunday afternoon at the Square in Central. "I think today is awesome!" said business owner, Jessica Almand said. Almand owns Bombshell Boutique in Central and is one of more than 75 merchants who participated in the... more »

• Lawmaker plans to pull $3 million from City of Central over political spat Play Video

  March 9, 2021 6:51 PM

  CENTRAL- A political spat has State Senator Bodi White planning to reallocate funding that was dedicated for the City of Central. Instead, he said it will now go to the school system. White said it comes after a disagreement between the council and mayor over a proposed new city... more »

• Murdered mother's 3 small children caught in middle of custody battle Play Video

  February 25, 2021 5:24 PM

  BATON ROUGE - It's been more than two weeks since 25-year old Tannya Moreau was allegedly shot and killed by her husband at her Central home. Now, her parents are fighting to get custody of the three kids she left behind. Ashanti Witherspoon and his wife Susan Witherspoon, Tannya's... more »

• City hall location creating fiery political spat in Central Play Video

  February 22, 2021 6:33 PM

  CENTRAL - A heated political fight is brewing between at least three Central councilmembers and Mayor David Barrow over where the new proposed city hall should be located. Mayor Barrow said he asked to be part of the discussions last year but was intentionally left out. It involves... more »

• American flag burned, hardware shop surrounded in ring of fire after overnight arsons

  August 22, 2020 2:06 PM

  CENTRAL - The fire department posted a warning about suspicious overnight fires. The Central Fire Department said flammable liquid was poured around Sullivan's Hardware Store and lit on fire. An apparent ring of fire was noticed around the store by people driving by the place around 10:30 Friday night.... more »

• Baton Rouge prepares for new mask mandate Play Video

  July 2, 2020 7:07 AM

  BATON ROUGE — As Louisiana continues to contend with a surge in coronavirus cases, residents of the capital city are adjusting to a new mandate that requires them to wear either a mask or face covering while inside of a business. Mayor-President Sharon Weston Broome issued the announcement Wednesday,... more »

• Central, Zachary mayors say masks not required in their city limits

  July 1, 2020 6:04 PM

  CENTRAL – Hours after the mayor-president of East Baton Rouge Parish announced a mask mandate for those out and about across the parish, mayors of Central and Zachary said the requirement does not apply within their city boundaries. ““The mandatory mask order issued by Mayor-President Sharon Weston Broome today... more »

• Deputies search for missing trailer; last seen at Central church Play Video

  May 23, 2020 3:42 PM

  CENTRAL - The City of Central is asking for assistance in locating a camp trailer owned by the Boy Scouts of America Troop 13. The trailer was stolen earlier this week when it was stationed at Blackwater United Methodist, an affiliate of the BSA-Troop 13. Inside the trailer is... more »

• Partial closure of Greenwell Springs Road due to overturned truck

  May 14, 2020 10:03 AM

  CENTRAL - A Thursday morning crash resulted in the temporary closure of Greenwell Springs Road between Hooper Road and Denham Road. According to city officials, an 18-wheeler overturned resulting in the temporary closure. The accident occurred shortly after 7:30 a.m. and left one person wounded. Officials say the... more »

• Sammy's Grill locations in Baton Rouge, Prairieville face eviction

  December 26, 2019 6:12 PM

  UPDATE: The Advocate reports that the landlord for Sammy's Grill locations in Baton Rouge and Prairieville is seeking to evict the local restaurant due to unpaid rent. Click here for the latest . *** PRAIRIEVILLE - It's been a stressful Christmas for many Sammy's Grill employees who say... more »

• Three arrested in murder of teen who was shot while walking home Play Video

  December 2, 2019 4:09 PM

  UPDATE: A judge decided Thursday that Jeffrey Tate, 16, will now be charged with murder and will stand trial as an adult. Click here for more details. ***** BATON ROUGE - All three teens tied to the murder of a 17-year-old who was shot while walking home earlier... more »

• Teenagers busted in robbery, burglary circuit Play Video

  September 12, 2019 4:51 PM

  CENTRAL – Two teenagers were charged in a burglary ring that included muggings and could face additional charges as the investigation widens. The teenagers are 16 and 17, deputies told WBRZ, and are tied to an armed robbery and attempted armed robbery in Central Monday, a handful of vehicle... more »

• 'Suspicious' overnight fire sends Central firefighter to hospital

  July 20, 2019 12:12 PM

  BATON ROUGE - A late-night house fire near North Sherwood Forest Drive sent a firefighter to the hospital. Central Fire Department says they received reports of the blaze on the 4300 block of Fort Myers Drive around 11:48 p.m. Friday night. Once crews arrived on scene they found the... more »

• Tree crashes through Central home late Friday night

  July 13, 2019 1:30 AM

  CENTRAL – No one was injured, luckily, when a large tree crashed through a home ahead of Barry, the storm, Friday. The tree, which appeared to be somewhat tall in dark pictures shared by first responders, crashed through the roof and smashed into the dining room of a home... more »

• DOTD makes quick, temporary repairs to flood-damaged Greenwell Springs Rd.

  May 11, 2019 9:42 PM

  CENTRAL – DOTD made a temporary repair to Greenwell Springs Road after it caved and was closed Saturday evening because of a weather-related failure. A gravel fix was used to re-open the highway to traffic but drivers should drive over the damaged area with extreme caution. The highway... more »

• Central introduces stricter drainage codes Play Video

  April 23, 2019 11:49 PM

  CENTRAL - Housing developments could soon be required to build drainage systems that can handle more rainwater in heavy storms. Currently developments are required to construct for 10-year storm events but an ordinance introduced at the city council meeting Tuesday would increase that to 25-year events. East Baton Rouge... more »

• Residents along Amite River plead for dredging as flooding concerns mount Play Video

  April 22, 2019 5:45 PM

  CENTRAL- Residents living along the Amite River are calling for the river to be dredged after rain last week caused water to get uncomfortably close to their properties. Retired East Baton Rouge Parish Sheriff's Captain Bobby Dale Callender has lived along the river for more than two decades. He's worked... more »

• Central eyes stricter drainage policies Play Video

  April 8, 2019 11:24 PM

  CENTRAL - A draft of the city's drainage master plan will be presented at the city council meeting Tuesday evening. More than $100 million in projects, big and small, will be included in the plan expected to be finished by early June. "There are some smaller projects we have... more »

• EBR schools facing potential layoffs as system tries to shave millions from budget Play Video

  April 2, 2019 6:04 PM

  BATON ROUGE - East Baton Rouge Superintendent Warren Drake says the school system may see layoffs if other attempts to mitigate spending fall short. A letter emailed to school system employees Tuesday said its "expenditures have exceeded our revenues," and an additional $20-30 million must be carved out of... more »

• Central mayor denies involvement in alleged contract forgery Play Video

  January 5, 2019 2:01 AM

  CENTRAL- Recently-elected Central Mayor David Barrow is denying wrongdoing in an ongoing investigation into forgery allegations concerning city documents. On Friday, WBRZ learned that all the mayors the City of Central has ever had are embroiled in the investigation that led the Sheriff's Office to get a search warrant... more »

• Ousted mayor after election upset: Friends will 'turn on you' Play Video

  November 6, 2018 11:52 PM

  CENTRAL – Perhaps the most shocking local election result Tuesday was the upset in Central where incumbent “Jr” Shelton was ousted from office. “Be careful who your friends are because they can turn on you in a second,” Shelton quipped in his only live television appearance Tuesday night. Shelton... more »

• WRECK: US mail truck and SUV collided head-on in Central, two transported to hospital

  October 13, 2018 10:38 PM

  GREENWELL SPRINGS- A US mail truck and SUV collided head-on at Greenwell Springs and Wax Road. EMS and police were on the scene. Two people were transported to a local hospital. The SUV was carrying two children both received no injuries. more »

• Central to outfit a new emergency operation center Play Video

  September 21, 2018 10:54 PM

  CENTRAL - During the chaos of the 2016 flood, officials in Central operated their emergency response out of a small training room at the fire department's headquarters. "We actually had to have headsets on to hear the calls because it was so loud," said District Fire Chief Derek Glover.... more »

• FEMA denies large portion of Central's request for road reimbursements Play Video

  May 10, 2018 7:17 PM

  CENTRAL- The City of Central received notice this week that FEMA was denying a large portion of their $1.3 million dollar request for reimbursements for damage incurred on their roads from the August 2016 floods. The letter from FEMA said about $100,000 would be paid to the city. According to... more »

• Comite dredging bill heads to Governor Edwards Play Video

  May 2, 2018 11:43 PM

  BATON ROUGE- The Louisiana House of Representatives approved a bill Wednesday to allow dredging in the Comite River. It now heads to the Governor's desk for his signature. The bill (SB 490) removes the Comite from a protected class of scenic rivers. While it doesn't fund the dredging, it... more »

• Central residents hope for more with drainage master plan Play Video

  April 10, 2018 2:24 AM

  Correction: Earlier this week a story aired where Central residents on Hooper Rd were interviewed about a city drainage project on their street. However, it was actually an East Baton Rouge sewage project not controlled by the city. CENTRAL- The public input meeting in the middle school cafeteria Monday... more »

• Gas leak stopped, Sullivan Rd. opened after incident Friday.

  April 6, 2018 3:57 PM

  CENTRAL – A gas leak closed a busy Central highway Friday. Sullivan was closed between Wax and Hooper around 2 o'clock Friday afternoon. There was heavy congestion in the area. Authorities said a gas main was busted and the gas company was working to contain the situation. ... more »

• Central announces road projects Play Video

  February 21, 2018 10:46 PM

  CENTRAL - Mayor Junior Shelton's administration announced the following road projects on its Facebook page Wednesday: FROM THE DESK OF MAYOR JR. SHELTON One of the largest expenditures that can be made by a municipality is for roads. Planning, building, and maintaining roads can become an enormous cost.... more »

• Central residents demand better drainage Play Video

  January 30, 2018 12:20 AM

  CENTRAL - Residents frustrated over recent flooding tried to turn a meeting about the city's master plan into a public forum on drainage Monday evening. "I think that it's a problem that we've been dealing with since the 2016 flood and I think it's something that needs to be... more »

• VIDEO: Multiple fire departments respond to massive house fire overnight

  December 16, 2017 8:59 AM

  CENTRAL - A home was destroyed by a massive fire overnight. The Central Fire Department posted pictures and video on Facebook of the blaze. When firefighters arrived on the scene shortly after 1 a.m. Saturday, they found flames pouring from the roof. The fire had already burned most of... more »

• Driver injured after ramming concrete barricade on closed bridge

  November 26, 2017 10:41 AM

  CENTRAL - A driver was taken to the hospital after crashing through a concrete barrier blocking a closed bridge overnight. Firefighters had to use equipment similar to the Jaws of Life to cut the driver from the mangled mess after the vehicle slammed into the barricade. Authorities said the... more »

• Police search home of accused killer's sister, still seeking murder weapon

  November 2, 2017 5:06 PM

  BATON ROUGE - The latest search warrants issued in connection with the arrest of accused Baton Rouge killer Kenneth Gleason reveal that his sister's home was searched as part of the investigation, but investigators have still yet to find the weapon used in the attacks. According to search warrants... more »

• Comite River flood waters drain smoothly after weekend storms Play Video

  October 23, 2017 11:40 PM

  CENTRAL- High water in the Comite River from this weekend's storms is quickly draining south into the Amite. Officials in East Baton Rouge Parish said the river levels dropped as fast as they rose Monday with almost no back-fill flooding. The river approached moderate flood stage at the Joor... more »

• Theater manager fired for giving employees degrading nicknames Play Video

  October 3, 2017 7:46 PM

  BATON ROUGE - Dozens of Movie Tavern employees are furious after the discovery of a leaked scheduling document labeling over twenty employees as 'peasants'. The document was discovered Sunday by an employee at the Movie Tavern at Citiplace, who brought it to the attention of fellow staff. Employees said... more »